The Korea Herald

‘Voting an innate right granted to all citizens’

Oct 17, 2011

The right to vote is a constitutional right granted to all citizens regardless of their location, a senior official of the National Election Commission said. “One does not have to perform taxpaying or military duties nor prove one’s qualification to exercise one’s constitutional rights,” said Jeong
DP digs in heels over U.S. FTA bill

Oct 17, 2011

Opposition leader calls trade deals more difficult to change than ConstitutionThe ruling and opposition parties once again clashed on Monday over the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement.Following the U.S. Congress’ ratification of the bill last week, the ruling Grand National Party urged the parliamenta
Lee drops plan for Naegok-dong retirement

Oct 17, 2011

President Lee Myung-bak on Monday decided to cancel his planned move after retirement to a newly purchased housing lot on the edges of Seoul in an apparent bid to quiet down controversy ahead of the Seoul mayoral by-election next week.He will move back to his existing home in Nonhyun-dong, Gangnam-g
Lee orders 'all-out review' of post-retirement residence project

Oct 17, 2011

SEOUL, Oct. 17 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Myung-bak instructed aides Monday to conduct an "all-out review" of a project to build his post-retirement residence in southern Seoul, an official said, after the purchase of a tract of land under the name of his son sparked criticism.Lee said it is "very re
Nearly 9 out of 10 Koreans distrust politicians: poll

Oct 16, 2011

Nearly nine out of 10 South Koreans distrust domestic politics and politicians, a poll showed Sunday, illustrating a growing sense of crisis among rival political parties.According to a poll of 1,018 adults and 730 youths by the Office of the Minister of Special Affairs, 87.1 percent of adults and 8
Polls tight in Seoul mayoral race

Oct 16, 2011

The two candidates representing the ruling party and the liberal opposition bloc are locked in a dead heat as recent opinion polls showed the race for Seoul mayor to be too tight to call.　Some polls found that judge-turned-politician Na Kyung-won of the Grand National Party had already bridged the g
Lee’s visit to U.S. strengthens alliance

Oct 16, 2011

President returns home from trip highlighted by ratification of free trade agreementPresident Lee Myung-bak’s state visit to the United States was a demonstration of their stronger alliance through the U.S. Congress ratification of the bilateral trade agreement.Lee returned home Sunday, wrapping up
Seoul mayoral race too tight to call

Oct 16, 2011

Park fails to deftly respond to negative campaigning: expertsThe two candidates representing the ruling party and the liberal opposition bloc are locked in a dead heat as recent opinion polls showed the race for Seoul mayor to be too tight to call.Some polls found that judge-turned-politician Na Kyu
Lee, Obama touts FTA gains in Detroit visit

Oct 15, 2011

CHICAGO -- President Lee Myung-bak and U.S. President Barack Obama on Friday trumpeted the Korea-U.S. free trade agreement, which the U.S. Congress ratified over four years after it was signed, during their visit to a General Motors plant in Detroit. "Our trade is basically balanced between th
SKorea president makes high-profile Chicago visit

Oct 15, 2011

CHICAGO (AP) _ After a White House state dinner and a visit to a Michigan auto plant, South Korea's President Lee Myung-bak's arrived in Chicago on Friday to further economic ties with a state anxious to tap emerging markets in his homeland.Lee's first stop was a dinner hosted by Chicago Mayor Rahm
Lee, Obama make joint visit to Detroit auto plant to address FTA

Oct 15, 2011

CHICAGO/DETROIT, Oct. 14 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Lee Myung-bak visited an auto plant in Detroit, along with U.S.President Barack Obama on Friday, promising American auto workers that a free trade agreement between the two countries will help protect their jobs and create more work for Ame
Lee, Obama vow ‘stronger alliance’

Oct 14, 2011

Summit talks focused on FTA, security partnership, North KoreaWASHINGTON, D.C. ― President Lee Myung-bak on Thursday said Korea and the United States have agreed to develop their ties into an “even stronger alliance,” a day after the U.S. Congress ratified the two countries’ free trade agreement.“He
Lee, Obama visit GM plant in Detroit to speak on FTA

Oct 14, 2011

Korean president stops by Hyundai Mobis factory to encourage workersDETROIT ― President Lee Myung-bak and U.S. President Barack Obama on Friday visited the General Motors plant in Detroit together in a show of “economic alliance,” two days after the U.S. Congress ratified the Korea-U.S. free trade a
Turnout may decide Seoul mayoral race

Oct 14, 2011

Candidates remain neck-and-neck on day two of official campaign The Grand National Party’s candidate for Seoul mayor was leading the polls after three television debates and two days of campaigning, though by a small margin which experts say could easily be reversed on a strong turnout. On the secon
Gov’t declares war on ‘fake’ gasoline

Oct 14, 2011

SEOUL, Oct. 14 (Yonhap) -- The government declared an all-out war on fake gasoline on Friday, significantly increasing fines for people selling unauthorized products and giving investigative jurisdiction to government officials.The crackdown starts with changing the commonly used name for such fuel,